PS 3501 
.145 E8 
1916 

Copy 1 



r 



EXPOSURE 

OF 

NEGRO SOCIETY 
AND SOCIETIES 

BY 



Prof. A. E. AIKEN 

AUTHOR 

RATTLE AND ROLL" 

About That Famous Game, Craps — 1899 

YOU RUBBER NECK" 

Story Book — 1901 

THE BIG- FIGHT,-JACK JOHNSON 

Song and Two-Step — 1910 



TWENTY STORIES COMBINED 



This Book For Sale at 42 West 135th Street 

and at the News Stand, 135th Street and 

Lenox Avenue, New York City 

PRICE -, ^- 25 CENTS 



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PREFACE, 



In as much as it must be a custom to 
tell the general public, the topic of this book, 
I wish to be reasonable with you. You will 
soon discover that these stories are practiced 
in daily, among your best friends, too. You 
see and hear just what I have written, daily. 
So please be considerate, as I am with you. 
Man\- of these stories are true. 

The Author 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY 
AND SOCIETIES 



Chapter' I. 

SOCIETY. 



Good morning, Miss Julia Rubber — Good morning vSir, how 
are you feeling this morning? Quite well thanks. Oh pardon me; 
who are you? Why have you forgotten me, somewhat I have ! 
Oh — you are Mr. Strecham's youngest son! Yes: — well Miss I have 
the pleasure to greet you. It has been so long since we have not 
seen each other! Yes it has been a very long time. Why I passed 
your old residence a week ago, and I noticed that it was closed up 
as though the entire Family was away for the summer! Oh Mr. 
Strecham — you don't mean to tell me, that you did not hear of 
our troubles! Why no Miss Rubber; well I will tell you of them. 
Have you much time! Oh yes, more time than money ! Well you 
see I don't want to start to talk to you except I know you have 
time to hear. He — I have all the time needed. Well Mr. Stechan. : 
Mother died a year ago. What Miss Rubber! Yes Mr. Stecham: 
that is so. Well dear Miss I am sorry to hear such sad news I 
will assure you, and Father kept house for us the best he could, 
for a long time alone; but he got tired of it and got a House- 
keeper for us girls — and then trouble began. You know, we have 
always been use to society, and was in the best society in W. 37th 
Street! Oh yes Miss Rubber, I know that to be the truth. Well, 
when this house-keeper came in and took charge of the House 
everything was running lovely; but Sister Mary and Helen did 
not like her appearance! But I did. She seem to be so kind- 
hearted and nice; but oh my — she soon change, and began to boss 
us — Well, we could not stand her. Us girls would not stand for 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 



such, uo, uo. Miss Rubber I don't blame you and your Sisters 
resenting such treatment. Mr. Strecham, she stopped us from 
having Company-Evenings, young men that we know from child- 
hood and wanted us to entertain her guest. Men that I would 
not be seen with on the streets, sports I think they were nothing 
but; you do me Oh, I will do you — I tried at first to be sociable 
and nice, but I soon found out that I had to protect myself, or we 
would be ruined, all on account of our Father. We began telling 
Father about her company, that she wanted us to be sociable 
with — but they were not. My kind of Society that we had been 
accustomed to, do you blame us. Mr. Strecham no Miss Rubber 
by no means. Do if— you have always been accustomed to fine 
and nice societ}', and you have a perfect right to select for your- 
selves. I think so too. 

Well Mr. Strecham, one day Sister Helen and I went out to 
Matinee and return about 5.30 o'clock, and when we entered the 
House, we were surprise, the parlor was full of Men and Women 
dancing. Beer and Whisky flying and the House-keeper was 
dressed up in ray dead mother gown, which I love to see my 
mother in right here. 

.Sister Helen and I put the Old House out of business. We 
clean up for the House-keeper and her guest, we strip her of that 
beautiful Gown of Mother, and blacked her eyes too. 

Chapter II. 

Mr. James, have you ever met Miss Helen Rubber ! No, but 
I know of her, by my friend Henry Ellis, Oh, he is crazy about 
her. He thinks the sun rises and sets on her, he seems to think that 
she is the only woman on earth. Well you find he is certainly a 
blind man. Why she is one of the ugliest young girls in Harlem, 
with no Education and no manners. Why she is[not fit for anyv 
kind of society : Why she does't know her name if 5'ou wrote it 
as big as a hou.se. Oh, she is ignorant, and an awful story-teller, 1 
in other words, a good liar. 

Whj', she became acquainted with Mary, m\ daughter; some-l 
how. I don't know, but she became quite friendly and began to< 
frequent my house, 3 or 4 times a week 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 



With my Mary, we treated her with friendly hospitality, aiul 
felt sorry for her, she was always hungry, and we would always 
invite her to lunch, she never said no, she was a glutton, she 
wanted to eat up 6 Lamb Chops, or 4 or 5 Pork Chops or a whole 
broiled chicken, 3 cups of coffee 4 or 5 hot rolls, and a half Water- 
mellon. Too well I could not tell you half; I am not telling any- 
thing but the truth on her. 

Well, one day, soon after Miss Helen Rubber, had filled up 
herself with all my home lunch and had taken her departure, in 
came an old friend of mine; well Jane, she said, I hope you are 
well, yes Jenny, I am, how are you? Not so good, she replied. Why 
what is the matter with you, I have heard bad news about you 
I have just met that Miss Helen Rubber and she told me a lot of 
things about you: what did she say about me, well. I don't want 
to cause any trouble, if you promise not to tell her, I will tell you 
all she said about you. Jenny. I wont tell, just tell me what ^he 
told you about me. 

Well, she told me, every thing in your house was bought on 
the instalment plan, even your piano that you could not sit down 
to eat a meal in peace on account of some collector would be 
rapping on your door, and you would run in the next room and 
tell one of your girls to tell him you were out; oh that is not half. 

Why Jane, I have known you for 30 years, such news is 
more than motoring about you, and she also said that every dress 
you and your girls have is second hand goods, that you real down 
in Baxter Street or down town, with Pelmyor second hand store. 
Jenny, don't tell me any more, that is enough. 

May, Mary, come here and call your sisters, come quick, I 
want you girls to hear the lies that friend of yours has said about 
us; What friend? Why, that three-faced, two-tongue Helen 
Rubber. 

Aunt Janey, what has she said? Well Mary your Ma will tell 
you girls, I must go now, good-bye, I will see you all again soon. 

Now girls, come in the parlor, I must give you all some plain 
tongue-lashing. Now Ma, don't blame me for sister's company; 
Shut up miss and wait until I get through. 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 



Now girls, I am an old woman now, and God has blessed me 
and my family in every particular — and has blessed 3011 girls in 
every way; now all 3 of you are young misses, and your company 
or society, should be selected; take your time, don't every one 
you meet, bring to your house and call them your friend, or 
societ)', it won't do, it won't pay; girls see what lies that Miss 
Helen Rubber has told about my home and you girls. What 
would your poor Pa say about such, if he was alive. Girls protect 
your home, I)y being careful with your society. Remember your 
dear Mother's advice, and last plea and talk to you all; so good-bye. 

Chapter 111. 



Hello Henry ! Where have you been? You are dressed-up 
in your full-dress to night. Why I am just from the Opening 
of the Lincoln Theatre in 135th Street, the only real colored 
Theatre in Greater New York. Why, how did you miss 

>-uch an opening as this. I am surprise of you, you being such a 
Society man. Well Henry you know I ain not working and my 
money is very sliort, and my clothing is not up to date. I have 
got three suits, good ones too, but Uncle have them in care for me. 

Well Henr> , I would like you to tell me about the Opening 
of llie Lincoln. John you know I am not much of a Critic or 
Scholar, you know my lacking in education, but I will venture to 
tell you what I heard and seen at the Opening of the Lincoln; the 
Theatre was packed bottom and top with Society of every class. 
It being a very rainy night, 50U could not expect the ladies to be 
in their best robes, but yet the ladies in general appeared fine, and 
the gentlemen also. 

Before the curtain was raised for the Grand Opening, guess 
who came in for a box seat—the noted Klack Prince — Well, the 
entire audience applauded him with rapturous joy for his presence, 
well it was real enjoyment; the first time in my life, that I have 
ever witnessed anything of its kind among my race. Well the 
Manager Mr. Eugene Elmore appeared to the front dressed in' iis 
Full-dre.ss suit, which reallv fitted him for the occasion. He in- 



EXPOvSURR OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 



troduced Lawyer McDougal, he made many complimentary re- 
marks to the Manager Mr. E. Eimore and many to his race, then the 
Editor of the Amsterdam News was introduced to the audience- 
He (Mr. .A.iiderson) spoke about five minutes congratulating Mr. 
K. Elmore for his great work for building such a fine Theatre for 
the colored people c-f N. Y., and only regretted that he and some 
ot" his brothers had the presence of mind to have done the same. 

After the Editor had finished his remarks Mr. J. C. Thomas 
was introduced by the Manager and presented with a bunch of 
keys. Mr. Thomas responded in a nice manner but quite brief. 

Rev. Bolden was then brought to the front and presented to 
ihe audience. He spoke about lo minutes. He is one of the 
Candidates aspiring for Assemblyman in this Fall Election. 

Now, Lawyer Frank Wheaton was introduced to the audience 
and he carried the house with oratory, and with his silver-tongued 
' manner, be requested the audience to give three cheers for the 
Mai'.ager Mr. E. Elmore, and then rise and sing, "My country tis 
of thee" which was responded to immediately. His remarks were 
refreshing and fine. 

Mr. E. Elmore presented $200 in gold to be divided between 
four Colored Institutes in N. Y. C. God bless his generous gift. 
I overheard a conversation about the Lincoln, yes, by whom? 
Why I did not know them myself. Well, the conversation. Wei] 
what do you think of the talent produced at Lincoln, at its first 
opening. Well, some parts were very good. Miss Laura was up 
to date in singing, and her stage tactics really fine and nice too. 
How was the .Music? Well that can be improved. That is not 
quite up to date. There was quite a lackency in many of the mu- 
sicians, I regret that they were all females, I would say more, but 
I must handle them all gently, give them time and more practice 
and [ fc^el assured that thev will give satisfaction. 



10 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 

Chapter IV. 



Well Eugene, I am really much surprise about Robert, Why, 
about these Harlem Fashion Plates, vvell-dres-std men, these cor- 
ner-mashers, and do-nothing, men that never work, but are trying 
to work ever}' person they meet, well Eugene I cannot see how 
they live, I meet a bunch of them every day and most of them 
always want to borrow a dime or more, they are always hard up: 
well, how do they make such a good appearance general!}, why 
that is a puzzle to many, I don't know you. 

Well Robert I stopped in at Nick's Toggery Store a few days 
ago to purchase some winter underwear and while waiting my 
turn, in came three professionals, Harltm nia.'-heis vhcni I knew 
personally, well Mr. Nichols and his Assistant disposed of me 
quickly, I had only bought a suit of Underwear, but I onh' waited 
to see what these fellows would buy, well I was really surprised, 
each of them bought 6 pairs of underwear, 6 dress shirt •^, i dozen 
collars, 6 neck ties, 6 pairs of socks, well I was so surprised until 
I felt ashamed of myself. Mr. Nichols was more than courteous, 
he handled them nicely with his politeness and inviting manners, 
well, how they do it, that is a puzzle, but I was convinced that 
it is not the man that has a job as porter, bell men or elevator mati 
is the man that spends the money and these Toggery going, take 
it from me. 

Mr. Nichols keeps up-to-date goods, no better in Harlem. I 
know good material when I see them. Nick has removed, is still 
in 135th Street, but near the corner Lenox Ave., next to the Con- 
fectionery Store, 

Chapter V. 

Oh Minnie, I am so glad I came up Lenox Avenue, I was on 
my way to your house to tell you something. What is it May? 
Yesterday I was for a stroll, yes a little exercise, being housed al^ 
day, I felt like it, yes, whilst coming through 135th Street I met 
Edith Wells, you did^ Yes. How did she look, swell? As usual 
No no, she looked shabby. You don't tell me that she was not 
nicely dressed. Indeed she looked wretched. Oh, I pity her con- 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES II 



dition, she has got no ambition; she seems to have lost all courage 
since she lost her mother. You know how neat, and sweet she 
always appeared, especiall}- on the Street. Well, I looked her 
over and over; her shoes were torn on the side heel of one, a dirty 
collar, cuffs look dingy, and an old hat on, that looked like the 
style 1700. I really felt ashamed to talk to her, but I did not 
want her to feel slighted, because a few years ago I was delighted 
to be in her company, well she had a lot to tell me about her 
troubles and mishaps. Yes man, In love I suppose. Yes, you 
guessed it. She loved Charles Armstrong but he did not love her 
Oh, she is wild about him; she told me she is willing to die for 
him. My God! Charles comes to my house every day. I know 
that too, that is why I am so glad I met you. I was to put you 
on your guard, she was looking for Charles when I met her, and 
asked me, had I seen him; why I had just left him. Yes I knew it. 
Now look out for yourself and don't go out with him as you have 
been doing. Goodbye May. 

Chapter VL 



Why Miss Lizzie, who or where do you have your Laundry 
done? Ls that any of your business Mr. Rediiose? Well no it is 
not, but your linen looks so fringy and rough that I am really 
ashamed to escort you to Church. Are you? Who does your 
laundry work? Now see here Mr. Rednose, if you don't care to 
escort me, you can go; they are plenty of others, better looking 
than you are, that is dying or praying for my company. Is that 
so Miss Lizzie? Well see here, you begged my sister Julia, to in- 
troduce me to you and as she did, you kissed me and put your 
arms around my neck and told me you love me on sight, am I 
telling the truth or not? Yes I did, Mr. Rednose. Well then I 
have a right to ask you anything; most of you girls are very 
thoughtless they want all the priveleges they can; say or ask a 
man anything, but he must not ask anything about them. They 
are inclined to have the suffragist fever in them. 

It is a man's place to rule a woman, James or ask me any 
question too. I know that but some men want to know too much 



12 EXrOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 



of a vvo:n Ill's bu-iiness. Well Lizzie, I want you to change your 
laiMclry, stop taking it aroutid the corner to Pan Handle Laundry 
take it hereafter to the Star Laundry on 135th Street, two sisters 
run that Laundry and they give any one fine work. Yes Mr. Ped- 
nose I know them well. Yes, do you? I started with them some 
years ago when they first started business in the basement. Yes 
why did you stop. Did they suit you? O yes, but I had a reason 
to. Please tell me why Miss Lizzie. I don't want to bring 
up the past. Oh, please Miss Lizzie tell, I would like to know 
your reason. Well Mr. Rednose one morning I had my soiled 
linen going direct to these two sisters and I met Mr. W'oods. 
and he would go with me, I tried my best not to let him, but he 
would go, he would go with me. You know what a sweet fellow 
he is. Oh yes; well I went in with my escort Mr. Woods, with 
my linen, and both sisters paid no attention to me at all, but be- 
gan talking to Mr. Woods about his laundry; Oh, I was so mad, 
I could have slapped their jaws. Oh they are both fuH of business. 
Oh yes! yes! No wonder they move out of the basement up in a 
store. Anyhow I wish them good Inck and a plenty of work too. 

Chapter V'll 

Oh Mr. Johnson, I am so hungry I must get something to eat. 
Well Miss, I am feeling somewhat that way myself. I am a 
stranger in Harlem — I don't no much about any of these restau- 
rants, nor their services; but I have heard about a Resturant, by 
the name of Rose's Restaurant a very famous place for a celebrat- 
ed Corn Beef Hash. He has two places one in X35th Street, and 
one on Lenox Avenue. 

Say — little boy; where are Mr. Rose Restaurants; about here? 
Right down the Street, there Mr. — -see that sign the Cresent 
Theatre : Yes, next door to that. Thanks, thank you. 

For your information, we entered this fameous restaurant and 
was finely served — I wonder why us colored people piefer going 
in a White Man's place, when you can get such service given 
by your own people. This I really feel ashamed; I have travelled 
extensively all parts of this country, and really the service at Mr. 
Rose's Restaurant cannot be beaten, baring none. 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 1 3 

Chapter ,TlII 

Hello George! Where are you going in such a hurry ? I am 
going to McDonald the Tailor to order a new suit! Yes, why he is 
a White man's Tailor! Yes — he does all of my work. It is a shame 
on you; Why don't you help these colored tailors along such men 
as G. A. Brambill and C. J. Patrick; both of these Gentlemen I 
know personally, and they can cut and fit you as good as any 
White Tailor in New York; give them a chance, don't be so pre- 
judice, the White Tailors have got the world tied up, and New 
York too. 

Well James, you have said much about Mr. Brambill and Mr. 
Patrick too, but let me speak my peace now. Yes, yes turn it on, 
I am waiting on 3'ou. My reason forgoing to this White Tailor 
I can stand him off. Oh you work on the installment plan. Not 
exactly but next to it. Yes I see, and you can't stand these 
colored tailors oh no — jou must put up or shut up one or the other 
I see your reason reason George. 

Chapter IJC 

.JAIVITOR 

I am so glad Jane — About what? Why the Landlord has 
changed the Janitor! What ? Yes indeed he is gone; I saw him 
moving out last night about 12 o'clock Why as late as that? 
yes, his Furniture was an awful sight. No wonder he moved at 
mid-night. I don't think he had apiece that the Junk man would 
give him 25 cents for. Oh Jane such luggage was disgraceful. 
I don't blame him for moving at night: — He was so me^n to the 
Tenants, about once a week, you have hot water, no light in the 
halls, until he got ready, the halls are always dirty — they look 
like a horse-table, your garbage he would call for when he got 
ready, and impudent and saucy too» always looking for a dime for 
what, nothing. 

Why one night a week ago; I had Mr. Fog Leg and Mr. 
Broken Nose. Those Musicians? Yes; and a few friends of mine. 
Well just a social gathering. We had a One Step, a Waltz and 
was about to put on the Schottische. when a rap came on my door 
I opened it, and the dirty mean low contemptible Janitor — that I 



14 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETV AND SOCIETIES 

must stop entertaining at that hour, or else I would have to move. 
Well Kate, right there you should bless him. Did you? No I did 
not bless him, but I took that broom stick and pounded him 
way down to the basement. Now let the Agent or Landloid .^ay 
a word to me, and I am ready to move. I dare him say a word 
to me. Why janitors dont know their places, they are servants, 
not to dictate to Tenants that pay their money on the ist and 
15th; I dont blame you Jane, I have had similar trouble at my 
house with the Janitor; but thank God the Agent or Landlord 
is around every day, and if you say one word against the Janitor 
he is gone, and a new one in his place. 

Chapter X 

Why Julius, you seem to be in a hurry ! Yes, I am. I have 
been away from home six weeks ; What! Yes indeed I have. I 
have been to the Panama Celebration, and to stop me crossing 
too! Where is that last place. I dont know, that is the name 
given me. All I know you ride day and night, and don't say 
anything to any one: ev^ery person must act dtimb. You can't eat, 
nor sleep; wnat the conductor changes ever}- two minutes; what 
as fast as that! Yes? Indeed it seems to me it was only a minute. 
Well you don't have any chance to do anything! No, you do not. 
Plenty of money in sight, but oh my; nothing doing. How are 
the tips? Well you can brush them off, take their luggage from the 
car, but don't get a tip. Why that is awful. Yes, worse than that 

Well Peter, yon luve been a porter for years. Yes,- 15 years 
John have you saved anything! No Peter, I have not: Why vou 
have made enough money in 15 years to own your own House in 
Harlem: — Yes two homes and a good bank account too, but I 
have been foolish, you see like many others. Peter I only wish 
that I had my time over again. Why any dumb porter 15 years 
ago could make $25.00 a trip; sometimes 2 and 3 trips a week. 
Are you married John! Oh yes Peter for years. And are you sorry 
for your past negligence? Yes John, I do regret, for many reason: 
I am getting old now, and nothing have I saved, but having a 
good time on this end and the other end, and sometime in the 
middle too. 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 1 5 



Well Jane, who did you marry, a porter? Yes. You was always 
lucky; I have tried all of my life to get a rail road porter, but 
never could. Jane you don't have to work: No, no, indeed never. 
Society lady was she. Oh, how many societies was she a member 
of? Seven different ones; What? Yes. Peter, why she was always 
•out, no matter when I came home, she was out: day or night; 
didynitryto stop her? Yes, yes. John I tried for years but 
could not break her, and when she was at home, the house would 
be full of Society friends; men and women. Oh this society will 
ruin any mans house and pocket too : she was also very fond of 
music too. They was a fellow played the piano and another one 
that played the violin, and another that played a little round 
thing looked like a banjo, Every time I came home these fellows 
was there. One morning about half past four o'clock I happened 
in quite unexpected: and oh my. 

Chapter XI. 

Oh Mary, I saw you at cluirch last night; how did you like 
Rev. Jim Cracker's Sermon? Well \frs. Eles, he was no good, he 
caii't preach, he is no good; I was sorr}- I happen in the church. 
Why he told the back-sliders and the hypocrites, the truth, and 
especially the liars, such as you are, talking about every body, 
and no one can suit you, not even a preacher. Why that Rev, 
Jim Cracker don't know anything about grammar, his language is 
bid, and his speech wretched; Oh he is no good, he shouts, mocks 
the bible and threw it on the lloor, stands on the blessed book of 
God. You want to tell me he is a preacher? I say no. He took 
his text in John the Baptist: shouted on and on. I see the lamb, 
What lamb did he see? The lamb that Mary had, oh he can't preach 
he is like some of these Harlem preacher; would if he could. Too 
many now can't preach in Harlem. Now, we should turn many 
of them out and let them work and eat green grass. Stop feeding 
them, let some of them go to work: yes turn them out, they have 
been living easy too long. Some of these preachers are not fit to 
be in a pulpit, tliey drink beer and whisky too, I saw one the 
other night, called Uncle Joe. and thought there was something 
going wrong, and I began to peep through the l-:ey hole and both 
was on their knees. What was thev doing ? I don't know, but 



l6 KXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 



I thought they was praying, but oh — Why to my surprise Uncle 
Joe got up and turned the lights on, and I could see:plainly. 

This Rev. Bro. took from his pocket, three quarts of whisky 
fifteen bottles of beer, two bottles of brandy: and oh me such a 
time. Uncle Joe and this Rev. had. Well I got tired peeping, so 
I went to bed, and in the morning, I woke early, I hearing some- 
thing in the room snoring very loud ! and who was their? Uncle Joe 
and the Rev. gentleman full as a tick. Now do you feel that such 
doing is right for a preacher? I say no, no : too many false 
preachers and too many false chrisitians too. Stop, stop taking. 
God will show you up some da v. 

Chapter XII 

OI>r> FKLLOWS 

I am sorry that my son is about to join the Odd Fellows- Is 
that so Uncle Jess. Yes, he goes in next week. What num- 
ber? 41 144 of course. All fine class of men, I know all of 
them. That is the strongest and biggest lodge in New York, 6,000 
members: my, my. pa — that is surely some lodge. Yes boy, and 
they are all rich men too. They don't take in any trashy men in 
that you bet. Why I joined that lodge 30 years ago. Pa, and are 
you an Odd Fellow ? Yes boy, before you were born. Well Pa, 
can't you tell me some of the secrets, you; No I won't give them 
away boy, you are my son, but I am afraid to trust you — you 
need not be; you have trusted me with many secrets and I have 
never told any one. Yes boy, you are talking the truth. Pa, I 
waut you to put me wise; so I will be on my guard the i^.ight I am 
initiated. Yes boy, if you will promise me that you will be true 
to me and your God, I may trust you. Yes Pa, you can ; W^ell 
boy these secrets keep to yourself. Yes sir I will, 

SECRETS 
Well my son, I am sorry and glad too, that you are going in 
the Odd Fellows for many reasons, which I will tell you by and 
by. Now you must not eat any beef or pork, or chicken, nor drink 
any beer nor whiskj', for one week, prior, to you going into the 
lodge. Why Pa? yoU know that half shoulder of beef, you and I 
stole from the butcher shop 6 months ago ! Yes Pa, I do. I sold 
it to that lodge- Yes ? And you remember that hog cross eyed 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 1 7 



Jim missed? Yes Pa, I stole it, and sold it to the lodge. Is that 
so pa? yes boy, and you remember all those chickens that Mr. 
W. Jones lost nine years ago: I stole them and sold them to the 
lodge. Is that so pa? Why you have been stealing a long time. 
Yes boy, getting ready for you boy. The lodge will prepare a 
big lunch for its new members, so be ready to devour everything 
free that night. 

Now boy, I will give you the secrets of any Odd Fellow's 
Lodge. That is what I want pa, yes — when the ten men come out 
to you and ask you this question. They will say to you, Sir which 
room do you want: the red room or the blue room! You say quick 
the red room please sir. Then they will ask you why; just say 
because I was born in a red room. As soon as you say this, you 
will be thrown into a black room, you can't see anything but 
blackness, every thing dark; a voice will say to you pray, and say 
the Lord's Prayer backward. 

Well, just here, being excited, it will be hard to remember 
the prayer frontward, but do the best you can boy, this is your 
trjnng time; some one will rap on the iron door and ask you if 
you are ready, jsay no, not yet. Why tell him to give you time, and 
as soon as you say that, a big green light will appear over your 
head and a voice like thunder will say come, come; are you ready! 
Say yes I am. You will be taken by force in a blue room and put 
on a goat; but be sure and call him bill three times, now dont for- 
get that; say it easy, don't let any of them hear you say Bill, this 
goat will go around the room four times with you, look-out when 
he stops, hold on to his horns, and hold him good and tight too; 
if not you will have trouble; he will bruise you up sure. Now 
boy keep this secret; I have a lot more to tell you; but I think 
this is enough for you now. I wish you good luck, and when you 
hear some one say, make him pray again; look out, you will be 
standing on your head. Oh Pa, how can I stand such treatment! 
You must be a man, don't flinch; be true to your color boy. 



1 8 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AXD SOCIETIES 

Chapter XIII 

Who is this Chas H. Anderson? Henry? Why dont you know 
him! No I do not Henry, my wife is always talking about Mr, 
Anderson, do you know him? Oh yes, well he is a great Dancing 
Master, he can fill any hall in New York. What he is, a dancing 
master? Yes a first-class one too. Well I thought your wife was 
a christian. Yes she says she is. Why, does her church allows 
her to attend a dancing class? Well I dont know much about that 
George, I am afraid to say a word about her going to dancing 
school, if I did, I would have no home. Why can't you rule your 
wife? Yes in some things I can, but if I say anything about Mr, 
C. Anderson, I had better take my hat up and go for a long walk. 
Is that so Henry? yes, indeed this Mr. Anderson has got her 
gone, yes crazy. Oh no Henry, he is a gentleman of the first type. 
She is not stuck on him, but those new dances he produces. Do 
you think it is that? Oh yes Henry. Well I an: very glad that 
you have explained it to me, because I intended to split him and 
do it good the first time T met him. Why Henry, he filled the Ca- 
sino on Oct. 2nd, 1400 persons attended his opening, never, never 
before has any dancing master done such. He is a wonder. 

Chapter XIV 

DOCTOPC 

Oh Mary, run for a doctor! For what? Charles my husband 
is very ill. Oh let him die, he is so mean to you, I would not help 
him if I could. Oh dont say that Mary he is a good man. Yes, 
you can call him good, but anytime a man gives me a black eye, 
goodbye for him and I, no more darling and sugar then for him, 
and I just look at your face, now your eyes are black, and your 
face bruised and you want me to go for a doctor, you need one 
more than hedoes. I'm ashamed of many of my woman. Stand up 
for your right. Join the suffragists, be a woman on dying, trying 
now let your husband die, I would not call a doctor for him. Oh 
Mary please call Dr. Jboheam, he is right across the street. Oh 
I will, he will put an end to his misery, he is noted for that; any- 
time you get him just say goodbye I am gone. 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 1 9 

Chapter X V 

ACTORS AIVO ACTRESSES 

Say Julia, what kind of an Actress is Helen Jones? Why have 
you never heard her on the stage? Well Mary she is making $50 a 
week sometimes and many weeks and month nothing; she never 
gets the second engagement. W^hy Julia? Because she is no good 
she squeels and barks like any pussy cat, but she thinks she is 
singing. Is that so? Oh ^he is not in it at all. Where did she 
get her musical education, abroad? Yes, you can call it abroad, if 
you want to, her mother had her over in Brooklyn with her aunt; 
they bluff every body that she was abroad. Well, well that is 
news to me Julia. Well I know more too. about her? Yes. Oh 
hush Julia here is Mr Ford coming, does he know her? Oh yes. 
Good afternoon ladies, I am pleased to meet you; been having a 
nice time I suppose. Oh no, Mr. Ford just a little business, shop- 
ping; Mr. P'ord how is your old friend Miss Jones? Oh she was 
quite well when I saw her last. But have you heard of her trou- 
bles? No, no. Why she was hissed off the stage the other night. 
Oh my! And many other pretenders time is coming soon. They 
had better go to work and stop faking, they can fake some of the.se 
managers, but they cant fake the audience all the time. Look out 
your time is coming soon, I see so many lying around, so-called 
actors and actresses hard up too. Don't you know the cause? No 
they have been in the scales and were found lacken; I feel sorry 
for many. 

Cliapter XJV 

BARBERS 

Dont he looks dirty about the face? Yes he needs a barber, 
why his hair needs cutting too, and a shave too. James, who is 
he? Why dont you know him. No, do you? Yes every one 
knows him in Harlem, he is a noted character. Is he? Well if I 
had a reputation like that I certainly would not rob the baiber 
like that, having four weeks beard on my face and ten months 
growth of hair on my head. He is John Bibleon. Oh yes, I kuow 
now, he tries to be a politician, tries to make speeches. Why he 



20 EXPOSURE OF 'negro SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 



dont know enough, he thinks be is it, but he is not; i pity the fel- 
low, he is swell headed like many others around here think they 
know it all. Why I remember him now, I met him in a Barber 
shop on 135th Street one day and he had the poor barbers lit up, 
the whole shop was a blaze, yes he was trying to convert the boss 
barber to be a Democrat. Yes, well some of the.<e barbers are no 
fools, I tell you some of them can give you the ace, king and jack, 
and beat you too. Yes, indeed I have found that out. Say Geo. 
who does your barbering? Oh I scrape myself. I thought so that's 
why your skin is ruined, all those pimples are around your neck, 
shame on you; give the barber a chance to live; harlem is full of 
barber shops, some good ones too. I have been to nearly all of 
them. Yes, yes I will stop scraping my5elf; where do > on shave 
at? Any shop as long as they give me service; you look at my 
face and see how smooth my skin looks. Yes it looks nice; be- 
cause I get good-barber service. Go to Slips the barber, he keeps 
good barbers, yes and they are not looking for a tip, and will give 
you good service too, but slip the barber a dime once in a while. 

Chapter XVII .- - 

Have you seen my friend, Jim Brown pass here? Yes he has 
just passed us. Well, is he your friend. Is he a friend of } ours? You 
are the only man in Harlem that can say he is a friend. I have 
known Jim Brown for years he is the biggest liar, thief, and cut 
throat, he will do any body, there are many such Browns in Har- 
lem. Yes plenty of rhem, they should be put on the Island, why 
I saw a Jim Brown in church last Sunday, when the usher was 
taking up the collection, put one cent in the plate and took a dime 
out. Well its a shame and all such Jim Browns should be locked 
up, why these Jim Browns have got harlem tied up. 

A. T. Anderson is a Furniture dealer on 135th Street and one 
of these Jim Browns called and ordered $300 worth of furniture 
with a guarantee of paying weekly the sum of $2.00. Mrs. Jim 
Brown did pay one week and then moved at night; these Jim 
Browns are awful, they will lie and take your goods away from you 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 21 



too, and fight you when you catch them. Why Mrs. Jim Brown I 
met the other day on Lenox Avenue, dressed in the latest style, 
oh, she had on too much. She was over dressed. 

I saw a Jew Collector running down the Avenue on one side 
and a woman on the other and a crowd following both, well I 
stopped to see what was the trouble, well to my surprise they were 
looking for this Mr.«. Jim Brown. She had been in his store and 
fitted herself with a new dress, shoes, hat, furs, and jumped the back 
fence. Well these Jim Browns come in all shapes. Some are men 
and some are women. Yes I know a Jim Brown too, that goes a" 
round beating all the lodging houses, he will pay for the first week 
but look out for the second, he leaves his trunk or satchel, but you 
wouldnt find anything in them, so please look out for these Jim 
Browns and they are always around trying to borrow a dime or two 
bits. Now I have warned } on so look out for Mr. or Mrs. Jim 
Brown, they are out looking for you, keep both eyes open, they 
have caught me more than once, many of these Jim Browns are 
members of society or ledges in Greater N. Y., and if they cant 
have their way in these lodges or societies, they will make trouble 
They must rule, no one is right; a point comes up, which is not 
debatable, but Mr. & Mrs. Jim Brown are always ready to stop 
debate oa any question; they know it all and no one in the lodge 
room knows anything. 

In every society you can meet Mr. & Mrs. Jim Brown. The 
rules or by-laws are not regarded by them; they dont care a^out 
any rules, dont regard the presiding Officer, but do and say any- 
thing they please; I say cut Mr. & Mrs. Jim Brown out of these 
Societies and Lodges and you will have more order and decorum. 
Take it from me; too much debate in lodges and society meeting 
by having so many Mr. & Mis. Jim Browns. They will tell you 
and make you believe that they are graduates in these societies 
and lo Iges but dont you let them bluff you; some of them dont 
know how to spell their names or these lodges. Masons, Odd Fel- 
lows, Good Samaritans, Knights of Pythias, Fishermen ard 
Household of Ruth, throw out Mr. and Mrs. Jim Brown and 
your society will prosper, 



22 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 



This Mr, and Mrs. Jim Brown are in all Societies and Lodges, 
they know everything and dont know much, but they will bluff 
you, they will make you think and believe that they know all tlie 
laws in the United States and Cushion's Manuel too, but dont 
stand for it. They are there to do you. I have put you on 
your guard. Goodbye The Prof. 

Chapter XVIII 
m:oxjthy 

I wonder how Jane and her lister Henrietta dres^^es so, they 
have always got something new and jut-t in the latest fashion, 
Julia I dont know, they have always been a puzzle to us girls; her 
father does'nt work and their Brothers one is off, I mean brainless, 
and the other has both hands off, and their mother takes in wash- 
ing. Well, I tell you there is a screw loose some where about 
those sisters, both of them are ugly, as the d . . . . Big feet and they 
wear No. 8 shoes and 6/2 gloves. Is that so Jane? Yes indeed, 
I tell you all the boys speak about them, they wont even take 
their hats off to them on the Street, you know if a man or gentle- 
man meets you in the street and dont take his hat off his head and 
bow it is an insult. Yes, oh, I did not know that until a few days 
ago. Yes my sweet has given me many secret points about men: 
if they dont take their hats off, they do not respect you. Is that 
so? Oh yes, well here comes the darling brothers, see if they 
will take their hats off to us. Hello girls! What are both doing 
here? raishing; All the boys I suppose. Well, we wont mash 
you, I will assure you, dont come to us and hello at us, please to 
take your hats off when you approach us, otherwise keep on mov- 
ving sirs, dont forget that, oh aint they fresh; I called them down 
plain and nice. Oh you must be plain and frank with such class 
of men. Yes you were. Why the idea of them helloing at us 
instead of taking their hats off as soon as they came up to us. I 
have given them a lesson that they wont forget. Yes indeed. 

See here, did you hear how Mrs, Gibson's husband made out? 
What is the matter with him? Oh Jane, have'nt you heard about 
him? No, I have'nt. Weil he worked at Delmore and the Cash- 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 23 

ier was taken sick and the boss put him to act as cashier and he 
stole all the money and skipped. He has always been a thief, he 
was in prison twice in one year. Is that so? Oh yes, he cant help 
it, he is a born thief and his son John is just like him; he is in the 
tombs too. For what? Fooling Miss Jameison, he promised to 
marry her but failed to be on hand at the appointed time and he 
was jailed. Is that so? Yes. Who have they got to represent 
them in court? Lawyer S. G. Lamblight. My God he is no good 
why he had my cousin John got in trpuble about that ham bone 
that he took from the Hotel where he worked and was arrested, 
and locked up; 3 months. Mother and I got this. Lawyer S. G. 
Lamblight to take the attorney's part, being a lawyer, at the bar; 
well the trial came up, when the judge asked my brother what he 
had to say, he said his lawyer would state his case briefly to you, 
your honor judge. Well who is your lawyer? S. G. Lamblight. 
Well what you to say about yourcleins for stealing a ham bone 
from the hotel where he worked. Judge, your hoijor, I say he 
had a right to take the ham bone judge. Is that so? Well I will 
show you that I have got a right to send him to Blackwell Island 
for 6 months too, and if you dont get out here quick, I will give 
you one year you d . . . . fool, when you get in trouble, look out for 
a lawyer that knows the law, dont get a dummy, lots of them are 
in Harlem. 

Why uncle Joe, had his coat stolen from him two weeks ago, 
and that Jim Brown was caught with it on, and Uncle had him ar- 
rested. When his trial came up his Lawj'er a supposed good coun- 
sel, Mr. D. C. Lighthouse and said: Judge your honor sir, My 
client had a right to take that man's coat; the judge said, why 
had he the right lawyer? Because he called him a thief before he 
was convicted or tried. Say Lawyer, your client was caught with 
the coat on; dont you know better than that Lawyer. Judge your 
honor, even if he were, my client had no coat of his own to wear 
that was the reason he wore that coat; uncle had his coat keeping 
for him. Well Councellor I will give your client one year in pene- 
teniary and you two years and an half for not knowing the law 
better. Well this discussion from the judge startled the court. 
Everybody felt that this noted harltm lawyer was up-to-date in 
law practice. vSo my friends look for these ham fat pretended 
iawyers of harlem. 



24 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 

Chapter XIX. 

Well John, I heard that you are about to leave home for New 
York. Yes Henr}', I am going. Are you going to take your 
wife? No by no means. Well, what about your children. Let 
them stay here too; Jamaica is good enough for them, I was born 
here in the Indies and I am sick of it. I feel that I am called to 
go to New York, oh some place in the north, but I prefer New 
York City for some reason I dont know. Why.^ Well John the col- 
ored people in New York are quite bright and wise, I dont think 
that you are quite fit for their society; they are educated, but 
nothing like trying, go on boy, I give you credit; when are you 
going? To-morrow Henry, on the steamer Lookout. Why John 
that is a bad luck ship, it had an awful time reaching New York 
on her last trip, why the captain had to throw half of her cargo 
overboard and passengers too, a thousand men and two thousand 
women lost their lives. My is that so? Yes, why dont you read 
the papers sometimes. I do, but not often Henry. You cant be up- 
to-date if you done read the daily papers, you must read and re- 
member too. Well I am not sufhcitnlly fdiicattd io understand 
what I read. Well use your brain, what God has given \ ou put 
it in use, they are so many of us that has got talent but dont use 
it. Why I only went to school ten days. What John? Yes, I 
dont take a back seat for a Howard Universitj', or Fisk or Tus- 
kegie or Hampton graduates, now take it from me, read regular, 
stop sleeping so much. Let the young ladies rest, dont get stuck 
so soon, keep boose out of your brain and you will find a differ- 
ence with your manliness. 

Well John, dont forget me when you get to New York. No 
Henry I wont. Write to me as soon as you get there. Yes I 
will Henry. When do you go aboard to-morrow Two? o'clock. 
Well goodbye John dont forget me. No Henry I wont. Tool 
toot, goodbye boys goodbye. 

Three days on the high seas was awful, I got sea-sick and I 
was sorry that I had left home for New York. Oh my God I 
thought I would have died. Sea-sick is an awful dose. Well in 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 25 



a few days after I arrived in New York I began to feel better; oh 
Henry I dont want any more such sickness. Well dear friend I 
must tell you about New York, Henry it is all right in every re- 
spect, everybody's doing it from the youngest to the oldest is in 
time. 

As soon as I arrived in New York, I got a job, well to tell 
the trutli I had not left the dock when a man drove up and en" 
quired if there was any West Indians aboard that ship that want- 
ed work. I overheard this and I jumped up and told him that 
was mi2h in need of work, I only had 60 cents after paying my 
fare to New York in the boat, well he looked at me and sized me up 
and took my name and told me when to call on him; well I was 
delighted, I had'nt enough money to pay for a week's lodging 
which you must produce as soon as you get a room in New York. 

Well I inquired of the madam Mrs. Lambig, oh only $3,00 
a week for this room, I have a room up-stairs for $5.50 per week, 
would you like to see that.^ Oh no this one is good enough for 
me. Well all I had in my pocket was 60 cents, my trunk was on 
the steamer and the check was in my pockets. I said to the Mad- 
am, can you cash a check for $210? No sir I cannot, your word 
is Jool enough for me. Well how I learned to lie so soon, I cannot 
tell; I took this room for $3.00 a week and board and laundry, and 
once in a while would borrow 25 or 50 cents off the Madam, 
well, I had struck a good thing and I nursed it too. 

The Madam— Yon seem to be a stranger. Yes Mrs. Lambig, 
I am just from the West Indies. Yes! I thought so, from your ut- 
terance or pronunciation. Well I am so glad that you came to my 
house, yes, I am more than glad, I hope you will be contented and 
he pleased, I will do anything for you to make you happy. Thank 
you Mrs, Lambig, I will assure you there will be nothing too good 
for me to return your kindness. I liked her ever so much, right 
here I made a hit. I was hungry until I felt like fainting and 
only 60 cents in my pocket, but I had bluffed the Madam, Oh yes, 
I had asked her to cash a check for $210; I had shown her a piece 
of paper which looked like a check. Mr. John Lier is your name? 
Yes Mrs. Lambig. Are you hungry? Some what so Madam, I 
could not eat aboard the ship, I was too sick. Yes, Mr. Lier, I 



26 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 



feel for you, I know what an awful feeling seasickness gives one. 
Yes mv house keeper will have luneh soon, Mr. Lier, just wait a 
few minutes more. 

Well what luck I had struck, bluffing m\' way in New York 
City. Well Mrs. Lainbig, I suppose your rent for such an apart- 
ment is not much in this fine citv. Harlem, Oh everybody in 
harlem has to pay very high rent, these coloied agents raise our 
rent three and four time a month. Oh, it is awful. We can 
scarcely live, and they have no mercy, why they if call on you 
fir.st and you say you are not ready to meet him with a 
part or half of your rent, why when he comes back in two or three 
hours, you had better give him some money or your house will be 
torn up and your things put on the side walk too, they call it a 
disposess here, what do they call that at your home, Jamaica? 
Oh, we dotit hive anything like that in the West Indies. No? I 
would like for you to tell me about your home customs. Oh sure- 
ly, some day Mrs. Lambig. 

Mrs. Lambig, who is this Jack Johnson, I have been hearing 
about the last lo years or more? Was he a white man? What! 
you dont know who he was, I really do not, that is why I ask. 
Well, well, I thought all the West Indians knew him. Where 
are you from? Jamaica? Well you are surely a dumb fool; he was 
and is a black man and black indeed, he whipped Jeffrey for the 
championship of the world in 1910. Yes I thougtit he was a white 
man. No he is as black as black can be; you know Mr. John I 
thought you were up-to-date, why you are not in it at all. Well 
Mrs. Lambig we dont get thi newspapers in Jamaica but once a 
month and then the news is stale or old. Yes, Mr. John, you 
should know better, the idea, man looking as nice as you, from Ja. 
maica, and ask me: who was Jack Johnson, was he a white man, 
please get out of my house as soon as you can, you owe me for six 
months board and lodging but you can keep that for your wife 
and children that you left in Jamaica, West Indies. Why, who 
told yoti that I was married? Your friend Mr. Henry, I found a 
letter of yours from him, and I wrote to him about yoti and he 
told me you were a married man and you left your wife and 3 chil- 
dren in Jamaica. Who? Mr. Henry your friend. W^ell see what 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 27 



a friend could do; he will give your secrets away; never will I trust 
another friend again, never, never. 

Mrs. Lanibig, why do the mulatto and the brown people dis- 
like the blacks? Why because they are fools like you, and they 
dont know anything, they dont know enough to get out of a rain- 
storm, they should remember that they came in this world through 
the black people and not the white. Yes, Mrs. Lambig, you are 
right, we say the whites are prejudice, but we are more so. Why? 
I was on the corner of Lenox Ave., and 135th street last Sunday 
and I heard a mulatto woman and a brown skin man said: Oh, he 
is black! Well I knew they meant me because I know I look like 
the ace of spades, but it is not my fault or blame, God our Father, 
Stop stop standing on color, stop, be refine, keep a character, be 
gentle; it will take a long ways up, Mr. John Lier, why most of 
you West Indians comes to our blessed city and make good livings 
get all the good jobs. Mo^t of you dress fine and that is all; 
Why dont you go down to City Hall and get your naturalization 
papers out. No, no. You would rather dress up and stand on 
the corner in Harlem and dont regard our ladies and your own- 
Now boys, take this from me, I am an old woman, but I know 
a thing or two, let us be united, come together, be one, we are all 
negroes, no matter where we are from, let us join hands, be- true 
friends now and forever. Amen. Amen 

P. S. — I overheard Sally telling George that no woman knows 
who she loves, until she gets married. What do you think about 
that? why do you ask me such a question? Because you have been 
married 10 times to my knowledge, you have buried six to my 
knowledge and God knows where the other four are. Well see 
here Sally. If I did not know you so long, I would take that ques- 
tion as an insult. Yes I would. Well tell me the truth wont you? 
Oh yes, Lucy is right, a woman cant tell much about love until 
she gets married, for many reasons, the man she marries may be 
ever so good and kind and sweet too, but as soon as something 
happens that she does not like, she would begin to think about 
James or Eugene or one of her old lovers, now this is true girls, 
take it from me. 



28 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 



lyUcy has'nt Sally a lovely head of hair. Yes, indeed she htis, 
I wonder is it her own? Yes indeed it is, I was with her when 
she bought it, she paid $i.oo for that wig and it fits nicely too. 
Well, well, I thought it was her own. It is, she bought it. 



A SPECIAL STORY 



Mr. Mouthy, well have you read the newspapers this morning? 
No Sir, I have just come out of the house. Yes, I notice there 
are several deaths on this street, yes sir, 400 on Lenox Avenue, 
yesterday too, I heard that Mr. J. Rockefeller was dead and Mr. 
Gould too, one of the Astors was very ill. Those names dont 
sound like colored people's names. No, but we have so many pre- 
tenders among us that we give them high fly names, those names. 
Is that so? Why, you are not up-to-date. Well I am pleased 
that you have learnt me something this morning. You bet we 
name them those names to classify them, why as soon as they get 
a government job, or get a job as a doorman at some of those big 
stores, why goodbye: They would not speak to their Bro. on the 
streets. Yes Mr. Mouthy you are right, why my own brother 
got a job as a porter, several months ago, and I met him the other 
day, with an uniform on and I bowed to him, and God knows, I 
am telling the truth, he would not speak to mc; again he has 
left our old home, where sister, he and I have shared our mothers 
love until he got this brass button job, oh these jobs do change 
them, some others that are not worthy of his earnings get the ben- 
efit; poor mother, sister and I take it to heart so much, but re- 
member, no matter how high a bird flies, he must come down 
some day. Brother, think of your old home, you may yet regret 
and be pleased to return. 

Well Jenkin, I saw on Mr. & Mrs. Gibson; Crepe, which 
signifies death is in the family, oh yes Mr. Mouthy, why Mr. Gib- 
son died last night. What boy? Yes Sir, what he died with, too 
much boose and chicken, you know he was always 3 sheets in the 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 29 



wind or half full of boose all the time, he would get his money on 
the first of the month and before he could reach home the boys 
would have him lull. Oh yes boy, all of these harlem pimps are 
looking for a soft thing; why if his wife did not go and lay for 
him on the r 5th of the month, the boys would stay for him and 
start him off with one knock-out drink. Say boy, what do you 
mean to say about a knock-out. Why dont you know? I do not. 
Boy. you are greener than I thought you were; I must take >ou to 
some BuiTet flat in Harlem, they are waiting for all such as you 
are. 

Well boy, who has the funeral of Mr. Gibson? I mean the 
Undertaker. Why Mr. Z. G. Hezelwell. Oh, my God, I am sor- 
ry for the widow, he wont leave her enough money to buy a meal 
with. I know him, why he will give her a pine box coffin and 
sware it is mahogany, will charge her $300 for it. Yes I know 
him he is a member of my lodge, oh he is a rascal. Yes boy I am 
sorry for the widow. Was Mr. Gibson a society man? Oh yes 
sir, he was a member of 17 societies, and 13 different lodges. My 
the old gal must have some change left, I must call soon. Good- 
bye boy. 

Say boy, who are these fellows all dre.s^ed up every day with 
kid gloves on? Cane in their hands standing on these corners. 
Why dont you know them never workers, but will work you or 
make you work, oh thanks. Goodbye. Boy you have given me a 
few points too. Well boy who is that n:an over theie with that 
lady? Oh that is Mr, Sneakum. Is that his wife? Oh no, he 
never takes his wife out, never, he always looking for some one 
else. Oh what a shame. 

Well boy, who are those young ladies passing on the other 
side of the Street? Why dont you know them? No boy I do not, 
do you? Yes sir I know ever3'body in Harlem. Who are they? 
Well see here, dont you know them really. I dont, please tell me 
boy, who are they? What, we class them as the high flyers, they 
belong to any kind of society. Yes boy, thank you, they cant get 
me by no means, say boy you have given me much good infor- 
mation about the Harlemites, take this dime. Oh no thanks my 
mother or father dont allow me to take tips off any one, thanks. 



30 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 

Well boy, you are well raised, .=ay boy wheie are your fall.er ai li 
mother? My father's name is Redmond Johnson and my niolhei's 
is Susan Johnson. What boy, we are old friends, we grew up to 
gether. Is that so? Yes boy tell your father and niother, that 
you met old Joe Mouthy, we are all from Charleston, S C, yes 
we are from there. Say boy, how long have you been iu Harlem? 
About five years sir. Where did you go to school? In Ihe old 
town Charleston and I took a course at Howard University. Yes 
boy, tell me about this N. Y. city society, is it any good? Well 
uncle Joe that depends what kind of society you want, they are all 
kinds in N. Y., from the lowest to the highest kind, you must se- 
lect for yourself, that is your business, the sharks are M'aiting for 
you in N. Y., no matter how you come. I pity our southern girls 
and boys, they came here, mean well, but go wrong. Boy you are 
right, say what about segregation about us colored people, do we 
have that among us up north? Oh yes, the brown people and the 
mulatto, they all seem to be white, they use powder, chalk, mil 
stone ashes, yes everything to change their color, but thank God' 
I am black, I love my color, I say be colored, God has given yc u 
what you possess, you cant change. No no boy, you are right; 
many of my race are sorry that they are colored, some called them- 
selves half Spaniard. Some call themselves Cuban. You know 
you are lying, you are only a pure old southern negro. Stop, 
stop and remember no matter how light colored you aie or hew 
brown you are, where you came from, if you dont know I do, and 
the white man has got your pedigree too, you cant fool me, i 
know you no matter how you come, you belong to my race the 
Africans. I dont want to tell you any more just stop playing that 
you are not an African, we are the only race that feels ashamed 
of our nationality: be what God made you to be and be proud of 
it too. Well boy I am proud of you also, where did you get your 
early schooling? I found it, was in books, would not go out every 
night to cabiaets to have a good time, but I would read good books 
such as I could get. Yes boy regular reading helps one after a 
good sart, yes sir it does. 

Are you going to heaven when you die? Well Uncle Joe that 
is a hard question; I hope so? Have you started on the road ytt? 
Yes I am on the road but in the wrong one. How do you knew 



EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 3 1 

that? Because I dont feel the spirit only once iu a great while. 
Well you must go down deep, yes way down and the spirit will 
surely come to hiin that believeth, say boy one more question I 
must ask you, because you are quite bright, they are in Greater 
New York, four colored weekly papers, which do you consider the 
best; now boy dont be afraid to say, I will protect you, speak out 
and teil the truth. Well Mr. Mouthy that is an easy question, 
and then dont care to be too frank either. Speak out boy, dont 
be scared, I will give you all the protection if I have to call the 
entire police force out, which I can at any moment, speak! boy 
speak! which of the four you think is the best edited: The New 
York Age, The Amsterdam News, The New York News, Chicka- 
saw Chronicle and The Pilot Gazette; now boy, speak out, let the 
world hear from you, dont be a coward, you have got protection. 
Yes Mr. Mouehy, I am not scared, but they may put a job up 
on me if I say which. What can they do to you? They may stop 
my pork chops, I sell all of those papers for my living you see. 

Say boy one more question I must ask you. Well I am ready 
for anything you want to ask. Well boy what do you think of 
these foreigners coming here and getting into our best society? 
they are from far off and we dont know anything about them. 
No no uncle Joe, you are right I often thought of that myself, 
wliy they come here by the thousands yearly with nothing, no 
letters of introduction or papers of any kind, and in a few months 
or years they are in some of our very best society Well boy- 
how do they do it? Well uncle Joe, I think our females are much 
lacking for many things that they need. What do you think they 
need boy? Well uncle I think they need more education, more 
home training, more good mother's instruction, more good father's 
training and God knows the balance, why as soon as one of these 
foreigners open his mouth and can speak a little French or Cuban 
or Hindu or some other tongue that we Americans dont know any- 
thing about, why our females are gone over them Now dont think 
I am jealous. No no boy you are right, why hundreds of these 
foreigners cannot go back to their homes. Why boy.^ Because 
they have been thieves, cut throats, murderers, high way men, 
yes many have been in prison too, and are here posing as first-class 
gentlemen. 

Now I hope to see some improvement in our society soon boy. 
I hope so too, uncle Joe. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 

015 863 842 3 i 

DANCING! 

DANCING! 

I take great pleasure in introducing 
to the public, the Four late Dances 
given to me by my friend Prot. Chas. 
H. Anderson, personally, to an- 
nounce through this medium to you 
and others. 

Watch Your Step Schottische 

Cambridge Gavotte 

Hampton Glide 

Honolulu Mooch 

All of them are really very nice Dances 
and call on the Prof, any Wednesday or 
Saturday Night at 

PALACE CASINO 
West 135th Street New York 



